For centuries, people have been entranced by Clermont's spectacular beauty. Named after picturesque Clermont-Ferrand, France, the birthplace of an early settler, Clermont is often called "Gem of the Hills," referring to the area's sparkling lakes, rolling hills, and an early citrus brand. Clermont's history, like the countryside, includes many pinnacles and valleys--from millions made in land investments and citrus to devastating freezes and economic depression that brought the city to bankruptcy. It is an exotic history filled with adventure; steamboats; railways; freak weather phenomena; iconic tourist attractions; unparalleled golf, fishing, and hunting venues; visionary leaders; legendary athletes; a world-class library overlooking the city; and a historic village beside Lake Minneola. Coming off its 125th anniversary, Clermont flourishes as Lake County's largest city.

Lake County has no shortage of characters--adventurous, altruistic, and notorious men and women drawn to an enchanted land of a thousand lakes and lush pine forests in the heart of the "Sunshine State." In 1887, visionaries carved the new territory from neighboring Sumter and Orange Counties and boldly dreamed of moving the state capital to Tavares. More than a dozen communities sprang up, attracting people such as Walt Disney's parents and Wild West legend Annie Oakley. Notable residents through the years include astronaut David Walker, Olympic athlete Tyson Gay, bestselling author Kate DiCamillo, and archaeologist Edgar Banks, who served as the inspiration for Indiana Jones. Inspiring educators and coaches, along with caring doctors and ministers, devoted their lives to helping others. Business geniuses created the largest sawmill in the Southeast, promoted tourism, and built the first citrus juice plant in Florida.

Looking beyond the Highway is an examination of road history and roadside attractions specific to the South. Focused in part on numerous aspects of thematerial culture landscape of the Dixie Highway, the essays consider the politics of roadbuilding, roadside entertainment, the buildings and businesses one might encounter along the road, and regional adaptations to the needs and desires of northern tourists. Following the Dixie Highway from southern Illinois to Florida with sidetrips down other southern roads, the essays cover a wide variety of subjects, many of which will resonate with anyone who has ever lived in or vacationed in the South: Harrison Mayes's “Get Right With God” signs; the park-and-pray craze of outdoor drive-in church services; the rise and demise of brick highways; the fierce political battle over the route of the Dixie Highway; beach music and the evolution of motel architecture in Myrtle Beach; Florida's early tourist towers; and the commercial development of Tennessee caves as tourist attractions. Covering a landscape that includes Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, Indiana, Virginia, Arkansas, Ohio, Kentucky, Alabama, and Illinois, the anthology shows that there was and still is a distinctive southern culture and how roads have influenced that culture. As lively as they are diverse, thearticles provide a solid background for understanding roadside ephemera that have disappeared or are quickly disappearing. Ranging from the serious to the light-hearted and including descriptions of American road and roadside icons to kitsch, the book will appeal to anyone with an interest in road history and roadside architecture.

This book is not all about Drew Peterson. I wanted to write a book that would be an answer the question "What five books in your family library do you wish to pass on to your children and grandchildren?" Hopefully someday I will write one. In this book I will exhibit tough love and play Devil's advocate with many monsters and monstrous events. I will present my findings and analysis of all that may threaten you and your family. As a cure for families we recommend that all of us move beyond the monstrous ego and money-oriented selfishness of "Modern Medicine," "Modern Banking," "Modern Justice," "Modern King Government," and "Modern Me." I advocate we thread old-fashioned family values into the solutions and cures of new Smart Systemstrade;. Our "modern" institutions need serious rehab in order to assist, not just one but, all members of today's family with respect care and love. Today's technology confirms our corporate motto: WE ARE ALL ONE BIG FAMILY ndash; ENJOY IT! We have called for an annual international week of Sobriety and Serenity each January 5th through the 12th as a small pathway to change and a way to remember and heal families in pain. I apologize in advance to families covered too briefly in this book. It is impossible to express the sorrow one feels when a loved one dies or disappears. I empathize your loss. Make sure you develop your own family support treatment team that includes proper medical, recreational, dietary, work, fiscal, spiritual, psychological and physical life areas. Involve the proper professionals as you apply the family change therapies recommended in this book or online rehab. While we use and teach tough love techniques, we believe the focus of this therapy needs to be on the illness or disease of our loved ones - never against any person. We pray the recipients of tough love in this book find peace and serenity in their life. We know we can all enjoy some good belly laughs in the future as we continue to support each other and our families. We hope the weaving of cases; common sense psychology of the California Recovery Model and 'Secrets of Rehab' are educational, as well as, entertaining for you. Please note that this book presents only a few rehab secrets and introductory recovery techniques. Visit our ever-expanding website www.OnlineRehabClinic.com and online rehab for this "tip of the iceberg" effort towards helping you and your family.

Takes readers on a tour through the backroads of Florida, providing directions, maps, and recommended sights.